Maharashtra Road Deaths Drop 8%: State Announces Cashless Treatment up to ₹1.5 Lakh and ₹25,000 Reward for Helping Accident Victims
PUNE – In a significant boost to road safety efforts in Maharashtra, the State Transport Department has reported a 8.05% decline in accidental deaths for January 2026 compared to the same period last year.
According to official data released by Additional Transport Commissioner Bharat Kalaskar, the number of fatalities dropped from 1,427 in January 2025 to 1,312 in January 2026, saving 115 lives in a single month. Total accidents also saw a marginal dip of 2%, falling from 3,164 to 3,100.
Strategic Roadmap to 2030
The decline is being attributed to a series of consistent measures aimed at meeting the state’s ambitious goal: reducing road accidents by 50% by the year 3030. To achieve this, the department has established dedicated Road Safety Cells at both state and district levels, with specialized safety plans tailored for every district.
Key focus areas include:
- Black Spot Rectification: Systematic identification and engineering improvements at high-risk accident zones.
- Tech-Driven Enforcement: Increased use of technology for traffic monitoring and stricter penalty implementation.
- Public Awareness: Large-scale campaigns to encourage responsible driving behavior.
Strengthening the ‘Golden Hour’ Response
The state has also integrated the central government’s ‘PM Rahat’ scheme to ensure victims receive immediate medical attention during the critical “Golden Hour.” Under this initiative, eligible accident victims can avail of cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for the first seven days of hospitalization.
To further incentivize bystander assistance, the department has announced a ₹25,000 reward for ‘Jivandoot’ (Life Messengers), Good Samaritans who help transport victims to hospitals. Citizens are encouraged to dial 112 immediately after an accident to coordinate ambulance services and locate the nearest medical facility.
“The synergy between technology, strict enforcement, and public cooperation is yielding results,” stated Bharat Kalaskar. “We are moving steadily toward our 2030 vision of making Maharashtra’s roads significantly safer.”
